Newsletter

Posted April 3, 2014 08:25 pm

Letter: Time is right to say yes on school bonds

The ballots for Topeka Unified School District 501’s bond issue have been mailed, and it is important they be returned to the Shawnee County election office no later than noon Tuesday. They may also be hand-delivered to the election office at 911 S.W. 37th St.

The bond is for $143 million, $63 million of which the state will contribute. District patrons will retire $80 million over a 30-year period.

Because bond interest rates are low, previous bonds will be retired and the state will contribute $63 million, property taxes will not increase due to the proposed bond issue. This is the perfect time to say “yes” to the bond issue.

The school district will install digital cameras and key-card access systems, panic buttons, video technology and easy processes to locking down each facility. New gymnasiums will serve as storm shelters. Air conditioning will be installed in all gyms. Maude Bishop Elementary School will be repurposed as a professional development center that will be used for training and meetings.

Student educational opportunities will include 21st-century science classrooms, a pre-K district-wide facility, a pre-K-8 center at Jardine Middle School, and programs created for engineering, bioscience, human services, business technology and media.

The district will focus on career pathways and counseling, as well as digital textbooks and tele-presence classrooms.

In voting “yes,” we stand with our district in securing new innovations and the necessary tools for a safer environment for our children while they achieve a high level of education.

All you have to do is vote “yes,” and return your ballot by noon Tuesday.